Canberra hooker Tom Starling has declared his teammate Joe Tapine the best forward in the NRL after the prop helped to set up the try that kept the Raiders’ season alive.
The Raiders and Newcastle were locked up at 22 points apiece in the final 10 minutes on Sunday when Josh Papalii broke the line and connected with Tapine.
Still with work to do, Tapine ducked around Anthony Milford and drew in two defenders before lobbing an overarm pass to Jack Wighton, who dived over to score.